Full Finger or Fingerless Gloves for Mountain Biking?

Some mountain bikers prefer fingerless gloves, while others like full-finger models. Some riders don't wear gloves at all!

By Jeff Barber
January 19, 2020

11 comments

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A bad day to be wearing fingerless gloves.

Mountain biking can be rough on the hands, and a good set of gloves can provide comfort and grip, even when hands are wet with sweat. Some riders prefer fingerless gloves, while others like full-finger models. Some riders don’t wear gloves at all!

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Tell us why you prefer one type of glove over the other in the comments below.

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11 Comments

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lfg929 Texas // 2016
Jan 19, 2020

Full finger on mtb and road bike always. Might be a carryover from years of riding 3-wheelers, 4-wheelers and dirt bikes. I just feel more comfortable and confident not having bare fingers. I am still amazed at some of the things I/we do in a pair of shorts and tshirt considering all of the gear I wore on the dirt bike.

1 reply

rmap01 Maryland // 2013
Jan 19, 2020

It used to be a weather-related decision for me. But after breaking one finger and dislocating another I only wear full finger with additional padding on the knuckles.

boriquajake Idaho // 2019
Jan 19, 2020

I just can't stand the feeling of wearing gloves on the bike. I guess there are a few times a year when both the weather is crazy-cold, AND the trails are rideable that I might don a pair of light, full-finger gloves, but not often enough to ever actually own anything cycling-specific

0 reply

SimpleTwistUpDave Indiana // 2019
Jan 20, 2020

I ride a lot of trails where I'm weaving in and out of tight trees so full finger is nice for those days I cut it a little too close and brush my fingers up against bark. Another benefit is a bit more material to wipe sweat with!

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Jan 19, 2020

I use fingerless for XC and full finger for trail or heavy brush.

slickchick California // 2018
Jan 20, 2020

I used to wear half. I tried full finger and will never go back. I like the protection in hot and cold weather. My half finger gloves are my loaners now.

1track4me Kansas // 2019
Jan 19, 2020

I wish I could upload a photo of my bruised pinky finger from when I hit it on two different trees in narrow passageways on a trail. I even had full-fingered gloves on, but, I upgraded after that to much better ones. FF all the way!

ABhardtail Illinois // 2019
Jan 20, 2020

To those who go without, are your handlebar grips just much grippier than mine? When I'm not wearing my (FF) gloves my hands get sweaty and slippery and it feels like I lose a dangerous amount of control. In fact, pretty sure my only bad crash (endo + bouncing off a tree at speed in Kettle Moraine) was attributable to skipping gloves that day.

Zoso 2016
Jan 19, 2020

Used to wear fingerless until a nice laceration came my way.

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Feb 6, 2022

fingerless in the summer and full finger in the winter.

m.krupp Kentucky // 2018
Jan 21, 2020

Never understood fingerless gloves except for looking cool or a trigger finger cut out. Gloves are for protection for me. I like the extra grip but it is to protect my hands in a wreck or from the catching on stickers or smacked on limbs and trees. When I see fingerless on a mountain biker it strikes me as out of place, like those belong on a roadie. I laugh a little in my head but to each his own. I would rather go without gloves than fingerless. No offense if you are wearing them though. My wife has plenty of cracks on some of the stuff I choose to done to ride bikes in. Probably a few people laughing or smiling inside when they see me on the trail.

-1 reply

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